IAVA Leadership Fellow to Testify at Congressional Field Hearing on Veterans Choice Program

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing to take place at University of North Georgia, Gainesville Campus

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 20, 2015) — Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Georgia Leadership Fellow Dr. Wayman Duane Williams will testify Friday at a special field hearing for the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee entitled, “The Veteran’s Choice Program: Are Problems in Georgia Indicative of a National Problem?” The hearing, chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), will examine the VA implementation of the Veterans Choice Program. The hearing will also include testimony from VA Secretary Robert McDonald.

This hearing is the third in a series of oversight hearings to examine the implementation of the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act. The act, passed in August 2014, was designed to ensure the VA efficiently utilizes the Veterans Choice Program, which allows veterans to receive health care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs if they meet certain criteria.

The hearing is open to the public and press are invited to attend. In addition to Dr. Williams, IAVA Chief Policy Officer Matt Miller will be present at the hearing and available for interviews.

WHAT: Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Field Hearing
The Veterans Choice Program: Are Problems in Georgia Indicative of a National Problem?

About Dr. Wayman Dwayne Williams
As Georgia Leadership Fellow, Dr. Williams is a catalyst for veteran leadership development, policy advocacy and team building. Dr. Williams spent 26 years with the Active Army and a number of years in the reserve components. In his last combat assignment he was responsible to the MNFI Surgeon and MNFI Commanding General for independent coordination with various government and nongovernment agencies to support health sector partnership programs with the Iraqi government as he traveled across the country. He has advanced degrees in religion and public policy. He is currently the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Board of DeKalb County, Georgia, responsible for the county’s veteran recognition, advocacy, and research programs on behalf of the 42,000 veterans in one of Georgia’s largest counties. He has been working in the veteran policy and advocacy space for nine years.

"Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America...remains the most important organization representing the new generation of veterans." - TIME Magazine

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the premier veterans advocacy and support organization on the planet. Founded by an Iraq veteran in 2004, IAVA is the non-partisan leader in advocacy, public awareness, and 1-on-1 case management support. Our mission is to connect, unite, and empower over 425,000 veterans and allies nationwide. We have connected more than 1.2 million veterans with resources and community, and provided thousands of veterans of all generations with life-saving and life-changing personalized support from our Masters-level social service professionals.